I've ridden a lot of different 5 and 6 line setups, turned 5 line kites into 6 line, ridden 6 line dedicated etc. Keep in mind both are just using support lines so they are doing the exact same thing.

5 line

Pros:
Great slack in perfect conditions
Ability to be able to release to 5th on kickers and sliders
Relaunch
Simply the best setup for flat water pop and drop riding

Cons:
Unpredictable slack in gusty conditions
5th line rollovers
5th line needs to be perfectly tuned or it feels like **
Not that powerful


6 Line


Pros:
Kite will feel like it has more pull on the low end
Very intense pop and release
Kite performs better in gusty conditions than a 5 line


Cons:
Relaunch is pretty **
Can feel horrible if tension on the support lines is wrong
Feeling overpowered quite quickly



5 vs 6 line


5 line has more slack and the slack comes on earlier
6 line mode has more power for most kites
6 line is better in gusty conditions
5 line will turn tighter, 6 line is a more arcing slow turn
5 line relaunch is much much better (in big sizes this is a huge difference maker)
Both setups need to be tuned perfectly or they feel horrible

smashedhonda said...
Why not just go the whole hog and get a flysurfer or a chrono with 250 lines. Then you can spend your whole life untangling the bastard.

Coffee came out my nose cos i laughed

19 hours to untangle?
That's insane. I reckon I'd have given up on about 4h.

cauncy said...
Always wondered, a transfer of bridal points to loaded lines could reduce lines, ie make a 4 line feel 5/6 line due to points of load,

That everyone's idea in theory, doesn't work in practice.

ewan kite said..

sir ROWDY said..

cauncy said...
Always wondered, a transfer of bridal points to loaded lines could reduce lines, ie make a 4 line feel 5/6 line due to points of load,

That everyone's idea in theory, doesn't work in practice.

or it hasn't been done right yet...

Yet to work in practice... same thing.

p.s. Can't wait to see you on a bridal kite .